And the world's best city is ...

By CNN Staff

Updated 1924 GMT (0224 HKT) July 30, 2014

'World's best cities'10 photos

T + L's World's Best Cities awards – Readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have voted for their favorite city destinations in an annual survey. In 10th place is the American Mardi Gras capital, New Orleans.

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'World's best cities'10 photos

9. Mexico City – In ninth place in Travel + Leisure's 2014 best cities awards, Mexico City was rated for its experimental art scene and high design hotels.

4. Siem Reap (Cambodia) – The small Cambodian city of Siem Reap punches well above its weight thanks to the stunning attractions of the ancient temple complexes around nearby Angkor Wat. Siem Reap is another new Travel + Leisure best cities entry, taking 4th on the list.

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'World's best cities'10 photos

3. Florence (Italy) – No change at the number three spot on the list for 2014. The Italian city of Florence continues to impress visitors with its incredible collections of art and architecture.

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'World's best cities'10 photos

2. Charleston (South Carolina) – Charleston climbs up from seventh place on last year's Travel + Leisure's best cities list to claim the number two spot. The South Carolina city is praised for its accessibility, standout hotels and culinary excellence.

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'World's best cities'10 photos

1. Kyoto (Japan) – The Japanese city of Kyoto claims the top spot in Travel + Leisure's 2014 best cities list, taking over from longtime winner Bangkok, which has dropped out of the top 10 amid ongoing political turmoil. Kyoto is praised for "an emerging style scene that's cutting edge."

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Story highlights

Annual list looks to Japan to name world's best city

Travel + Leisure magazine awards based on a survey of readers, with destinations, venues and services rated

Kyoto replaces longtime winner Bangkok, which dropped out of top 10 following political turmoil

Thailand's recent political troubles may have worked in Japan's favor when it came to this year's Travel + Leisure awards, with Kyoto knocking Bangkok off its spot at the top of the magazine's world's best cities list.

The Thai capital, which was placed under curfew earlier this year during a military coup, is nowhere to be seen in this year's top 10, voted for by the magazine's readers, despite repeat appearances in the number one spot.

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Second on the list is Charleston, South Carolina, which, according to Spagnolo, improved on its 2013 seventh-place ranking thanks to accessibility, standout hotels (including the Planters Inn) and "a mouthwatering culinary scene where shrimp grits are just the beginning."

Several tourism heavyweights, including Rome and Florence, maintain their places in the top 10, while others make the grade after failing to place in 2013.

Siem Reap, the developing resort town near the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, New Orleans, Mexico City and Seville, Spain are all new entries.

Surveys of T + L readers were also used to compile award lists in other categories.